32
COMPLEX NUMBERS
CONTENTS
Arithmetic Operations with Complex Numbers 293
Distance in the Complex Plane 295
Midpoint in the Complex Plane 295
Argand Diagrams 296
Polar Form 296
Exponential Form 296
Complex numbers are numbers that include a real part and an imaginary part,
and they can be represented in the form 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, where 𝑎 and 𝑏 are real numbers,
and 𝑖 is the imaginary unit, satisfying the equation 𝑖 2 = −1.
If we have 𝑥 2 + 1 = 0, there is no solution for 𝑥 in real numbers. The set of
complex numbers caters for such, by defining 𝑖 = √−1. Complex variables make
algebra simple, and the use of complex variables is an indispensable tool in the
modelling of financial markets.
ARITHMETIC OPERATIONS WITH COMPLEX NUMBERS
Addition: Add real parts; add imaginary parts.
𝑧3 = 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖) + (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖)
= (𝑎1 + 𝑎2 ) + (𝑏1 + 𝑏2 )𝑖
Subtraction: Subtract real parts; subtract imaginary parts
𝑧4 = 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖) − (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖)
= (𝑎1 − 𝑎2 ) + (𝑏1 − 𝑏2 )𝑖
Multiplication: Use the distributive property and remember that 𝑖 2 = −1.
𝑧5 = 𝑧1 × 𝑧2 = (𝑎1 + 𝑏1 𝑖) × (𝑎2 + 𝑏2 𝑖)
= (𝑎1 𝑎2 − 𝑏1 𝑏2 ) + (𝑎1 𝑏2 + 𝑎2 𝑏1 )𝑖
Division: Multiply both the numerator and denominator by the complex
conjugate of the denominator, then simplify
𝑧1 𝑧1 𝑧̄2
𝑧6 = =
𝑧2 𝑧2 𝑧̄2
It is like the method for rationalising a surd.
Note here that if 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, and 𝑧2 = 𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖 then 𝑧2 is said to be the complex
conjugate of 𝑧1 . If 𝑧1 = −3 + 4𝑖 and 𝑧2 = −3 − 4𝑖, then 𝑧2 is said to be the
complex conjugate of 𝑧1 .
Square Root
(𝑎 ± 𝑏𝑖)2 = (𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 ) ± 2𝑎𝑏(𝑖)
Therefore,
𝒂 ± 𝒃𝒊 = ±√(𝒂𝟐 − 𝒃𝟐 ) ± 𝟐𝒂𝒃(𝒊)
Absolute Value or Modulus: The modulus of 𝑧1 = |𝑧1 |.
If 𝑧1 = 𝑎 + 𝑏𝑖, then
|𝒛𝟏 | = √𝒂𝟐 + 𝒃𝟐
294 Olaniyi Evans | University Mathematics
EXAMPLE 32.1
If 𝑧1 = 2 − 3𝑖 and 𝑧2 = −5 − 4𝑖, evaluate a) 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 b) 𝑧1 − 𝑧2
S O L U T I O N tips
a) 𝑧1 + 𝑧2 = (2 + (−5)) + (−3 + (−4)𝑖 = −3 − 7𝑖
b) 𝑧1 − 𝑧2 = (2 − (−5)) + (−3 − (−4)𝑖 = 7 + 𝑖
EXAMPLE 32.2
Evaluate
1 1 3
a) (1 + 3𝑖)(2 − 𝑖) b) ( + 𝑖) ( + 8𝑖)
2 4 2
S O L U T I O N tips
a) (1 + 3𝑖)(2 − 𝑖) = 2 − 𝑖 + 6𝑖 − 3𝑖 2 = 2 + 5𝑖 − 3(−1) = 5 + 5𝑖 𝑖 2 = −1
1 1 3 3 3 3 35 5 35
b) ( + 𝑖) ( + 8𝑖) = + 4𝑖 + 𝑖 + 2𝑖 2 = + 𝑖 + 2(−1) = − + 𝑖
2 4 2 4 8 4 8 4 8
EXAMPLE 32.3
Find 𝑧1 ÷ 𝑧2 when 𝑧1 = 4 + 3𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 1 − 𝑖.
S O L U T I O N tips
4 + 3𝑖
𝑧1 ÷ 𝑧2 =
1−𝑖
The complex conjugate of 𝑧1 is 𝑧̄2 = 1 + 𝑖. Multiply both the numerator and
denominator by the complex conjugate of the denominator.
4 + 3𝑖 1 + 𝑖 4 + 4𝑖 + 3𝑖 + 3𝑖 2
𝑧1 ÷ 𝑧2 = × = 𝑖 2 = −1
1−𝑖 1+𝑖 1 − 𝑖2
1 + 7𝑖 1 7
= = + 𝑖
2 2 2
EXAMPLE 32.4
Find 𝑧1 ÷ 𝑧2 when 𝑧1 = 1 + 6𝑖 and 𝑧2 = 4 + 𝑖.
S O L U T I O N tips
(1 + 6𝑖)(4 − 𝑖) 4 − 𝑖 + 24𝑖 − 6𝑖 2
𝑧1 ÷ 𝑧2 = =
(4 + 𝑖)(4 − 𝑖) 16 − 𝑖 2
10 + 23𝑖 10 23
= = + 𝑖
17 17 17
EXAMPLE 32.5
If 𝑧1 = 3 + 2𝑖. Find |𝑧1 |.
S O L U T I O N tips
|𝑧1 | = √𝑎2 + 𝑏 2 = √32 + 22 = √9 + 4 = √13
EXAMPLE 32.6
Find the square root of 8 – 6𝑖.
S O L U T I O N tips
Let 𝑧 2 = (𝑎 − 𝑏𝑖)2 = 8 − 6𝑖
(𝑎2 − 𝑏 2 ) + 2𝑎𝑏(𝑖) = 8 − 6𝑖
Compare real parts and imaginary parts,
𝑎2 − 𝑏2 = 8 (1)
2𝑎𝑏 = −6 (2)
Solve (1) and (2) simultaneously:
Chapter 32| Complex Numbers 295
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